Scots Surge Past Cavs in Second Half

December 2, 2006
Game Stats

Wise, VA – Trailing 38-30 at the half, Covenant College surged past UVA-Wise men’s basketball in the second half of the Appalachian Athletic Conference affair. The Scots outscored the Highland Cavaliers 30-12 in the first 10 minutes of the latter half before holding on for an 86-74 victory.

Covenant evened its AAC mark to 1-1 while improving to 3-8. UVA-Wise dropped to 4-7 on the year and 1-1 in the league.

The Cavs were paced by Zydrunas Rackauskas’ 21 rebounds and 15 points. Chris Stamper (Clay City, KY) had a season-best 16 points while Jarred Soles ( Yorktown, VA) added 15 points. Cassidy Vaughan ( Newport News, VA) chipped in 10 points and four assists. UVA-Wise outrebounded Covenant 42-35 but shot only 40.3% (27 of 67) from the floor.

Covenant received double figure point production from four players. Caleb Skogen finished with 19 points, eight rebounds and six assists. Jacob Skogen added 16 tallies while both Anthony Johnson and Josh Suddath had 14 points apiece. The Scots made 17 of 29 attempts (58.6%) in the deciding second half.

Behind 25-20 with 5:40 on the clock, UVA-Wise on a 16-3 run with five players each contributing a bucket and Rackauskas four points for a 38-30 halftime lead.

The Scots scored the second half’s first six points on a three-pointer and then a conventional three-point play by James Cunningham. Caleb Skogen hit a jumper at 17:14 to tie the game, 40-40. Suddath drained a three-pointer on a Chris Hall pass at 13:55 and the visitors would not trail again.

Covenant built its lead to as many as 17 points, 71-54, with 7:56 in the game. UVA-Wise regrouped for a comeback and pulled as close as five points, 78-73, on a Rackauskas free throw at 1:41. The Scots would allow the home team no closer for the 86-74 victory.

UVA-Wise will next travel to Virginia Intermont for a 7:30 p.m. Tuesday night contest.